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The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency


Unabridged Audiobook

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Ratings
Book
211
Narrator
87
Release Date
November 21, 2003
Duration
8 hours 10 minutes
Summary
This remarkably fresh and charming best-seller took the world by storm upon its publication. It has since earned two Booker Judges' Special Recommendations and was voted one of the 'International Books of the Year and the Millennium' by the Times Literary Supplement. Mma 'Precious' Ramotswe sets up a detective agency in Botswana on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, making her the only female detective in the country. At first, cases are hard to come by. But eventually, troubled people come to Precious with a variety of concerns. Potentially philandering husbands, seemingly schizophrenic doctors, and a missing boy who may have been killed by witch doctors all compel Precious to roam about in her tiny van, searching for clues. Chosen as a Top Ten Mystery by the Organization of Independent Booksellers, U.S.A., The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is that rare novel that imparts a sage wisdom while inspiring hearty laughter and lasting smiles.
Reviews
Profile Avatar Allison Brodeur Nov 2012

Very good book and narrator. The main character felt like a friend by the end of the book. I enjoyed the story of the characters themselves as well as the smaller detective cases.

Profile Avatar JJ4UT Mar 2023

What a delightful story! It had a great plot, engaging characters, and great use of humor. The narration was superb!

Profile Avatar Daniel Reiner Apr 2016

this is my first audiobook and I love it the narrator is doing a great job with all the different characters I love learning about Botswana and Africa how they think not on similar to the rest of the world but traditions and such heard this writer was good they linked him with To Kill a Mockingbird author and I do love his work hasn't found any other audio books or books in general the sides live comics that read their books in front of an audience any better than this this is enthralling this is my first enjoyable audiobook out of hundreds and hundreds that I have listened to only Isaac Newton was I'm more interested but the narrator and the writer weren't as good sorry James Glick that was the only other audio book I enjoyed besides the ones who put on a big show

Profile Avatar Robyn J. Sep 2022

This audiobook was awesome! Not only is it a well written story with excellent engaging characters and plots, the narrator did a great job in truly making the story come alive!

Profile Avatar Bonnie Mar 2023

I enjoyed this book and loved the narrator.

Profile Avatar Julie I. Jun 2025

A fun unique detective story, loved the short story format

Profile Avatar Nancy C. May 2024

I liked the book. It is a series of novelettes in which the case is solved in a chapter or 2, similar to 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes". I liked the characters. I have just finished the 2nd book in the series and looking forward to reading more of the series

Profile Avatar Michael T. May 2024

Very well done. Highly recommend.

Profile Avatar Adam Apr 2024

its quite a different style and very relevant to life in Botswana. Took me a little while to get into it however really enjoyed the story and the narrator

Profile Avatar Suzan A. Mar 2024

This book is wonderful. The story is captivating and the narrator is EXCELLENT

Profile Avatar Cookie Mar 2024

This book does not have much of a story line but it does give the reader a glimpse into the life and heart of Botswana. The narrator is very slow but spreading up works great.

Profile Avatar Carol K. Feb 2024

Did not enjoy.

Profile Avatar JB Jan 2024

I enjoyed the Descriptive details of the book, the story behind each case with simple and really drew you in great book highly recommend

Profile Avatar Anonymous Sep 2023

Loved it- humor plus mystery

Profile Avatar Patrick M. Jun 2023

This book was not my cup of tea. I’ll pass on this author.

Profile Avatar Judi Jeanotte May 2023

When I began listening I didn't think I liked it. I had a hard time with the narration. I give a book at least 4 or 5 chapters before I give it up. I am glad I stuck to it. The narration was excellent once I got used to the dialect. The story was heartwarming. Though it took me awhile to like the protagonist I ended up loving her. Great ending though not a total surprise it was a good one.

Profile Avatar Denise M. Apr 2023

Boring, boring, boring

Profile Avatar Mary M. Apr 2023

I really enjoyed this book well done great narrator.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Apr 2023

Slow moving but a good story and the narrator was easy to listen to. Lots of interesting tid bits about the culture.

Profile Avatar Gina M. Apr 2023

Thoroughly enjoyed the redemptive theme that ran throughout each of the challenges she encountered. And the ending was the cherry on top!

Profile Avatar Lorie Mar 2023

I thought it was awful with an abrupt unfinished end. Do not recommend.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Jul 2022

I enjoyed this more than I expected I would and it allowed me to learn a bit about the culture of Botswana

Profile Avatar Kathleen M. Jul 2021

I really enjoyed this book. Botswana was completely new to me, and I loved the main character. She was intelligent, kind, and had a great self awareness. Her cleverness made me smile frequently throughout the book I was very pleased by the ending.

Profile Avatar Terri B. Jul 2021

A smart and heartwarming collection of stories with kind and insightful observations on human nature. Sensitively and entertainingly read by someone with a lyrical African voice.

Profile Avatar Chris Jan 2021

Really enjoyed this! Narrator not bad, recommend playing at 1.5x.

Profile Avatar Alison B. Aug 2020

Lovely sweet read!

Profile Avatar Alan C Jul 2020

Terrible narrator with affected voice. Reads the book painfully slowly (and listening at a faster speed didn't make the affectation any better). Couldn't get past an hour.

Profile Avatar Emily B. May 2020

Fun short read

Profile Avatar Colleen M. Mar 2020

Loved the characters and plot lines for each mystery. Makes you wish you were in Botswana with them. Looking forward to next book.

Profile Avatar Holly C. Mar 2020

This was recommended to me some time ago. I'm so glad I listened to it! Fun characters and plot.

Profile Avatar Tanya B. Jan 2020

A well-narrated book empowering to women who have faced prejudice in the workplace. Fascinating African backdrop.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Jan 2020

Very entertaining book, and the narration was perfect for the subject matter. It was quite interesting to learn more about Botswana.

Profile Avatar Philip H. Dec 2019

Nice story and provides cultural look into lives of men and especially women in Botswana. I found the cases and situations unsophisticated and homespun, too simple and basic for my tastes for a detective novel. Narrator projects the feelings of Precious well and brings life into this book compared to if I simply read it.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Dec 2019

The narrator is wonderful. she has a beautiful speaking voice, and seems to understand the storyline and the characters. The story itself is engaging and the main characters are likable. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book!

Profile Avatar craig specht Dec 2019

I really like this book, at first I wasn't too sure about it but it grew on me. I loved the narrator, I like how she brought the characters to life.

Profile Avatar Kathryn R. Nov 2019

Wonderful book. A virtual trip to another culture and a good mystery baked in for extra pleasure. Loved the narrator. I will put her on my strongly preferred list. Highly recommended.

Profile Avatar Sharon W Nov 2017

Excellent in all regards! Recommended to listeners of audiobooks.

Profile Avatar Marie Goulet May 2014

Excellent story. It was my first audiobook and I liked it. Narrator made both story and characters come alive.

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

Author: Alexander McCall Smith
Read by: Lisette Lecat
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